Data analysis for microscopy experiments with ring-shape “mother machine” microfluidic chips

Contract type : Fixed-term contract

Level of qualifications required : Graduate degree or equivalent

Fonction : Temporary scientific engineer

Level of experience : Up to 3 years

About the research centre or Inria department

The Inria Saclay-Île-de-France Research Centre was established in 2008. It has developed as part of the Saclay site in partnership with Paris-Saclay University and with the Institut Polytechnique de Paris .

The centre has 39 project teams , 27 of which operate jointly with Paris-Saclay University and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris; Its activities occupy over 600 people, scientists and research and innovation support staff, including 44 different nationalities.

Context

Inria is the French national institute for research in computer science, control, and applied mathematics promoting scientific excellence and technology transfer. The research topics of pour group are at the intersection of mathematical biology, statistics, control engineering, and statistical physics applied to problems in biology.

Assignment

The objective of this project is to build and train a neural network for image analysis of single-cell microscopy experiments with E. Coli bacteria. Bacteria will be growing on novel microfluidic chips developed by our collaborator Remy Chait at the University of Exeter (UK). These chips are similar to classical “mother machine” microfluidic devices but contain a ring-structure in side channels as opposed to the dead-end channels of the mother machine.

Main activities

The different geometry of the chips implies that existing image analysis tools, such as DeLTA, that allow one to segment cells in images and to track cells over multiple images in time do not work out of the box. The task of this project is to possibly modify and certainly retrain the model used in DeLTA so as to obtain a functional tool for image analysis for the microscopy experiments of our collaborator.

Skills

- Strong programming skills.

- Prior experience with image analysis for single-cell microscopy experiments with "mother machine" microfluidic devices is required.

Benefits package

  • Subsidized meals
  • Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
  • Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.)
  • Possibility of teleworking (after 6 months of employment) and flexible organization of working hours
  • Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.)
  • Social, cultural and sports events and activities
  • Access to vocational training
  • Social security coverage

Remuneration

Salary in regards to profesional experience